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Environmental Science 1/2 > Previously made Cards > Flashcards

Previously made Cards Flashcards

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1
Q
A
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2
Q

Explain why the hydrosphere is required on Earth

A

It is essential to life and all organisms depend on water for their metabolism

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3
Q

Why is water called a FINITE source?

A

Because the amount of water in, on, and above the planet does not change

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4
Q

List two factors that may contribute to the type and number of species present in an aquatic environment

A

the depth of the water, its temperature, and its salinity

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5
Q

Define Biosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, and hydrosphere

A

Biosphere - All life on earth
Lithosphere - the solid, outer part of earth
atmosphere - the mixture of gases that surround Earth.
Hydrosphere - all water on earth

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6
Q

Define tectonic plates

A

Large mobile plates that continants and oceans rest on. These plates move very slowly and influence earth’s geological composition

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7
Q

List three types of rocks that make up the lithosphere and describe a feature of each

A

Igneous Rocks:

Feature: Formed from cooling magma or lava. Examples include granite (intrusive) and basalt (extrusive).
Sedimentary Rocks:

Feature: Created by sediment accumulation, showing distinct layers (bedding/stratification). Sandstone is an example.
Metamorphic Rocks:

Feature: Result from the transformation of existing rocks under high pressure and temperature, often displaying foliation. Slate is a foliated example.

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8
Q

Explain how volcanoes occur

A

collisions of tectonic plates pushing earth up and releasing heat from molten underneath

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9
Q

Define igneous rock types

A

Igneous rocks are rocks formed from melted magma or lava.

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10
Q

List the 4 most abundant gases found in the atmosphere in order of abundance.

A

Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide

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11
Q

recall the layers of the atmosphere in order from closest to farthest.

A

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, (exosphere)

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12
Q

In which layer of the atmosphere does all weather occur?

A

Troposphere

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13
Q

In which layer of the atmosphere is ozone most abundant

A

stratosphere

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14
Q

What is meant by the term TEMPERATURE INVERSION?

A

Temperature inversion is when the usual way temperatures drop as you go higher in the atmosphere gets reversed. In this situation, warmer air sits on top of cooler air, trapping pollutants and impacting the weather.

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15
Q

Why is the ozone layer beneficial to life on Earth?

A

Because ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and protects from UV damage.

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16
Q

Identify two ways the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere interact.

A

All these spheres interact regarding the climate

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17
Q

What is the carbon-oxygen cycle?

A

the carbon-oxygen cycle describes the movement of carbon up the food chain and its return to the atmosphere.

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18
Q

What is a biogeochemical cycle?

A

the natural movement of elements or compounds through living things and the environment, like the air, soil, and water.

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19
Q

Describe the water cycle

A

The water cycle describe the continuous movement of water on, above, and below earth’s surface.

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20
Q

Define Sedimentary Rocks

A

Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of tiny particles like sand, mud, or shells that have piled up and hardened over time.

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21
Q

Define Metamorphic rock types

A

Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have changed from their original form due to heat and pressure, often developing layers or patterns.

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22
Q

What is an open system?

A

An open system exchanges matter and energy with other systems (is not isolated from other systems)

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23
Q

Give an example of an open system

A

An ecosystem

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24
Q

What is a closed system?

A

A closed system is isolated from other systems in the environment. (doesn’t exchange matter but exchanges energy)

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25
What is a semipermeable system?
A semipermeable system is like a middle ground between a closed and open system. It allows some energy and matter to move in and out, but it doesn't freely exchange material with its surroundings.
26
Example of a semipermeable environment
A biological cell
27
What is a food chain
A single feeding pathway within ecosystems. Energy flow is represented by the arrows in the diagram
28
Describe a Producer (in terms of trophic level and role in the food chain)
A producer is represented on the first trophic level and is an autotroph in the food chain
29
Which trophic levels are described as heterotrophs?
Second trophic level, third trophic level, fourth tropic level (also described as consumers)
30
Example of an autotroph (1st trophic level, producer)
kangaroo grass
31
Example of primary consumer (second trophic level, heterotroph)
Eastern ringed xenica
32
Example of secondary consumer
snake
33
Example of tertiary consumer
wedge-tailed eagle
34
What is a biomass pyramid?
A biomass pyramid demonstrates the total try weight of living organic matter in a given area
35
What is a pyramid of numbers?
shows the number of organisms at each trophic level (doesn't give an accurate picture of the amount of energy or biomass at each level)
36
What is soil?
Soil is a mixture of particles formed over a long period by the weathering of rocks and the remains of dead organisms.
37
What are the soil profiles in order from the highest to lowest?
Surface Litter A horizon B horizon C horizon Rock
38
What is the A horizon made up of?
Topsoil
39
What is the B horizon made up of?
Subsoil (usually coarser than the A horizon)
40
What is the C horizon made up of?
Parent material
41
What is a Terrestrial ecosystem?
a land-based ecosystem
42
What is an aquatic ecosystem?
Water-based ecosystem
43
What is Aerobic respiration?
Aerobic respiration is the process by which animals, fungi, microorganisms and plants break down glucose to produce energy.
44
Evaporation is the process of ________
water changing from liquid to gas
45
Transpiration occurs when ______
water evaporates from plants, mainly through their leaves
46
Condensation is the process of _________
changing water from gas to liquid
47
Precipitation refers to _____
the process after water vapour has condensed and falls from the sky is various forms (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.)
48
Infiltration occurs when _______
water that falls to the ground if soaked into the earth. This can collect and form groundwater.
49
Surface run-off occurs when _______
water does not soak into the ground, but instead flows across land.
50
Give examples of Biotic factors
Animals (such as mice, kangaroos, insects, birds etc.) Plants Decomposers
51
Give examples of Abiotic factors
Earth cycles Wind Sun Atmosphere Temperature
52
What is an ecosystem?
A community of living organisms interacting together with their non-living environment. Contains a number of communities
53
What is a community?
made up of different species that interact at a specific location
54
what is a habitat?
a place/location where an organism exists/lives
55
What is a species?
One singular type of animal of the same kind that can breed together
56
What is a population?
Group of organisms belonging to a species and living in one area. Made up of individuals
57
what is predation?
Predation is when one animal hunts and eats another animal.
58
What is symbiosis?
symbiosis is where two animals interact together and form a relationship. (mutualism, commensalism, paratism)
59
What is photosynthesis
where plants convert sunlight to energy.
60
Photosynthesis equation
6CO2 + 6H2O ---(sunlight)-> 6O2 + C6H12O6
61
what is a decomposer?
decomposers are heterotrophic organisms that break down and consume organic waste (mushrooms/fungi)
62
What is a food web?
a food web shows the more complex relationship between producers and consumers
63
What is the 10% rule?
Approximately 10% of the energy in one trophic level is available as food for the organisms in the next level.
64
what is ecosystem productivity?
The productivity of an ecosystem depends on the amount of available nutrients and energy.
65
What influences ecosystem productivity?
Influenced by a range of abiotic factors such as temperature, soil fertility and rainfall.
66
What are the four main components of soil?
Water, Organic matter (humus), mineral matter, oxygen
67
Examples of inorganic matter in soil
Rocks Water Elements
68
Examples of organic matter in soil
Dead/decaying/decomposed organisms Humus Microorganisms/microbial life
69
How does the texture of soil affect its properties?
it can affect its density, aeration, drainage and moisture retention.
70
What is porosity (soil)
porosity refers to the size and numbers of the spaces (pores) between particles.
71
what is the ideal water content in soil?
18-25%
72
What is the difference between climate and weather?
weather refers to the atmospheric conditions of a specific place within a given time, whereas climate refers to the long-term weather conditions of a particular region.
73
What is groundwater flow?
The movement of water beneath the Earth's surface through porous rocks or soil, typically occurring in aquifers.
74
Equation for Aerobic respiration
C6H12O6 + 602 -----> 6H2O + 6CO2 + energy glucose oxygen water carbon dioxide
75
what is the nitrogen cycle?
shows how nitrogen is changed into different forms as it's recycled through the biosphere
76
what is the order of the nitrogen cycle? Natalie never ate a dog
Nitrogen fixation nitrification Assimilation ammonification denitrification
77
Explain Nitrogen fixation
This is the process of converting nitrogen into ammonia. plants cannot take up nitrogen in its gaseous form, but can as ammonia.
78
What are two ways nitrogen fixation can take place?
Bacteria can fix nitrogen to form ammonia. Lightning can fix nitrogen to for ammonia and nitrate.
79
Explain nitrification
this is the process in which bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite ions and the nitrite ions to nitrate ions in a process called oxidation.
80
Explain the process of assimilation in the nitrogen cycle
Plants absorb nitrates, nitrite, and ammonium that is formed when ammonia dissolves in soil moisture. Consumer then absorb the nitrogen present.
81
what is ammonification
decomposers return nitrogen to the soil by converting nitrogen rich compounds in dead bodies and wastes to ammonia
82
what is denitrification?
bacteria convert nitrate and nitrites into gaseous nitrogen, returning it to the atmosphere and continuing the cycle again.
83
What is the phosphorus cycle?
the cycle of phosphorus through soil, sediments, organisms, and water.
84
why is phosphorus important?
Phosphorus forms part of some molecules that control the flow of energy in cells. Is a component of cell membranes, bones and teeth
85
what is the order of the phosphorus cycle? we are done my SAC
weathering assimilation decomposition mineralisation sedimentation
86
what is weathering (phosphorus cycle)
when phosphate ions are released from rocks as a result from weathering, the inorganic phosphate is distributed in soils and water
87
what is assimilation (phosphorus cycle)
plants take up inorganic phosphate from soil through their roots. once in the plant (or animal if consumed) the phosphate is incorporated into organic molecules (e.g DNA)
88
What is decomposition (phosphorus cycle)
the decomposition of organic matter returns organic phosphate to the soil
89
what is mineralisation (phosphate)
within soil, bacteria can break down organic forms of phosphate into inorganic phosphorus, making them available to plant
90
what is sedimentation (phosphorus)
Phosphorus goes to the bottom of water, becomes sediment, and releases phosphate. Currents transport it to tiny plants (phytoplankton), and some sediment eventually turns into rocks.
91
a wetland is an example of:
and aquatic ecosystem
92
a system is best described as
anything that functions as a unified whole and relies on the interactions of inputs, outputs and processes
93
94
What is the carbon-oxygen cycle?
the carbon-oxygen cycle describes the movement of carbon up the food chain and its return to the atmosphere.
95
Evaporation is the process of ________
water changing from liquid to gas
96
Transpiration occurs when ______
water evaporates from plants, mainly through their leaves
97
Condensation is the process of _________
changing water from gas to liquid
98
Precipitation refers to _____
the process after water vapour has condensed and falls from the sky is various forms (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.)
99
Infiltration occurs when _______
water that falls to the ground if soaked into the earth. This can collect and form groundwater.
100
Surface run-off occurs when _______
water does not soak into the ground, but instead flows across land.
101
What is groundwater flow?
The movement of water beneath the Earth's surface through porous rocks or soil, typically occurring in aquifers.
102
what is the nitrogen cycle?
shows how nitrogen is changed into different forms as it's recycled through the biosphere
103
what is the order of the nitrogen cycle? Natalie never ate a dog
Nitrogen fixation nitrification Assimilation ammonification denitrification
104
Explain Nitrogen fixation
This is the process of converting nitrogen into ammonia. plants cannot take up nitrogen in its gaseous form, but can as ammonia.
105
What are two ways nitrogen fixation can take place?
Bacteria can fix nitrogen to form ammonia. Lightning can fix nitrogen to for ammonia and nitrate.
106
Explain nitrification
this is the process in which bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite ions and the nitrite ions to nitrate ions in a process called oxidation.
107
Explain the process of assimilation in the nitrogen cycle
Plants absorb nitrates, nitrite, and ammonium that is formed when ammonia dissolves in soil moisture. Consumer then absorb the nitrogen present.
108
what is ammonification
decomposers return nitrogen to the soil by converting nitrogen rich compounds in dead bodies and wastes to ammonia
109
what is denitrification?
bacteria convert nitrate and nitrites into gaseous nitrogen, returning it to the atmosphere and continuing the cycle again.
110
What is the phosphorus cycle?
the cycle of phosphorus through soil, sediments, organisms, and water.
111
why is phosphorus important?
Phosphorus forms part of some molecules that control the flow of energy in cells. Is a component of cell membranes, bones and teeth
112
what is the order of the phosphorus cycle? we are done my SAC
weathering assimilation decomposition mineralisation sedimentation
113
what is weathering (phosphorus cycle)
when phosphate ions are released from rocks as a result from weathering, the inorganic phosphate is distributed in soils and water
114
what is assimilation (phosphorus cycle)
plants take up inorganic phosphate from soil through their roots. once in the plant (or animal if consumed) the phosphate is incorporated into organic molecules (e.g DNA)
115
What is decomposition (phosphorus cycle)
the decomposition of organic matter returns organic phosphate to the soil
116
what is mineralisation (phosphate)
within soil, bacteria can break down organic forms of phosphate into inorganic phosphorus, making them available to plant
117
what is sedimentation (phosphorus)
Phosphorus goes to the bottom of water, becomes sediment, and releases phosphate. Currents transport it to tiny plants (phytoplankton), and some sediment eventually turns into rocks.
118
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
the natural movement of elements or compounds through living things and the environment, like the air, soil, and water.
119
120
What does abiotic mean?
Non-living
121
what does biotic mean?
living or once living
122
What is an ecological niche?
An organism's role in the environment
123
What is an ecosystem?
the total of all the different organisms that depend on an interact with each other in a specific location. The biotic and abiotic components of an specific place interacting
124
What is a community made up of?
A community is made up of different species that interact in a specific location
125
What is a population?
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same geographical area
126
What is a biome?
127
Describe a grasslands biome
Dry climate, cracked soil in summer, waterlogged soil in winter tropical/savanna Temperate: receives less rain
128
Describe a forest biome
covers 1/3 of earth, supports a wide variety of plant and animal species tropical Boreal/taiga
129
130
What is an independent variable?
131
What is a dependent variable?
132
What is a controlled variable?
133
What is a hypothesis?
134
What is the best way to determine the appropriate investigation methodology?
135
List investigation methodology:
- Case study - classification and identification - controlled experiment - correlation study - fieldwork - literature review - modelling - product - process or system development - simulation
136
What are the effects of varying sample sizes in obtaining robust data?
137
what is qualitative data?
138
what is quantitative data?
139

Environmental Science 1/2 (5 decks)

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